State gets 250 more ventilators

Tribune News Service

Shimla, March 15

The state has received 250 more ventilators from the Central Government in addition to the 500 received last year amid the pandemic. “Covid is showing signs of resurgence in the state. So, it’s good to have these additional ventilators. One never knows how the situation will unfold in the coming days,” said Dr Ramesh Chand, State Nodal Officer and Deputy Director (procurement). “Besides, we have other ample equipment like PPE kits and masks stocked up,” he said.

He said all 500 ventilators received earlier had been distributed to medical colleges, district and civil hospitals. “The new ones will be given wherever required, especially to the four makeshift Covid hospitals,” he said.

At the peak of the pandemic in the state, many medical professionals felt that the state did not have enough anesthetists and doctors who knew how to operate ventilators. “Medical professionals are being trained regularly at the IGMC and Tanda hospital to operate ventilators,” said Dr Chand. “It’s an extraordinary situation. It’s better to have ventilators than to not to have them.”